When it comes to technology, it seems the rumor mill keeps spinning, and that’s especially true with brands like Apple. A piece of news has surfaced that has me scratching my head: the possibility of a 16-inch iPad. And to that, I just have one question: Really?
Rumor has it that we could see a possible 16-inch iPad as soon as Q4 2023. Since that’s usually when Apple releases major product refreshes with the iPhone and iPad lineups, this rumor may have some significance. substance. But I hope it’s not, because the idea of such a big iPad for me is just comical.
A 16-inch tablet is an ergonomic nightmare
I’m pretty much on one type of device all day, whether it’s my iPhone 14 Pro, my Pixel 7, my 27-inch iMac, my 2020 11-inch iPad Pro, or my MacBook Pro M1. You’d be hard pressed not to find me on any screen (even though I know it’s terrible for my eyes and joints).
I have small hands, so even using my iPhone 14 Pro is tiring, despite the fact that I have a MagSafe PopSocket to help me use it one-handed. Most of the day I’ll be holding my iPhone or Android device, and after a long period of time I usually feel my hands clinging or some kind of discomfort – my body telling me I need a pause. And that’s just with a small device like an iPhone! I know I’m not the only one experiencing this.
Several years ago I was given a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and while I could see the appeal to some people, I always thought that was fair too big. I tend to use iPads more for reading and watching media, rather than working on them. With this use case in mind, I like to hold my iPad in my hands when I’m on the couch reading the news or browsing my social media. I used a keyboard case that also folds up, which allows me to use the iPad in portrait mode if I want to, which I did.
However, the 12.9-inch iPad is already very big, heavy, and just plain exhausting to hold in your hands without a stand. And now you’re telling me that Apple is considering a 16-inch iPad? I can only imagine how much of a monster that would be!
So far, I’m only talking about a 16-inch iPad itself. That’s not even accounting for additional accessories, like a Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil, protective case, or other things you might need. Once you add all that up, imagine how much heavier that 16-inch iPad would be, and how difficult it would be to carry it around, either on its own or even in a bag.
Big screen, limited appeal
Rumor has it that a 16-inch iPad would “further blur the line between iPad and MacBook,” which Apple did with iPadOS 16, especially with the controversy that is Stage Manager. Additionally, a 16-inch iPad is better served for creatives who could use even more screen space. But, of course, having more screen real estate won’t come cheap. I can only imagine how much an iPad this big would cost.
Yes, I guess anyone who would be interested in a 16-inch iPad would be a creator, graphic designer, photographer, or video editor who would actually benefit from more screen real estate. But would it really be worth the extra cost for such a big iPad, or would it be more beneficial to just grab a 16-inch MacBook Pro at this point? Maybe drawing on a laptop isn’t ideal, but there are five other iPad sizes to choose from, so is a 16-inch screen even really necessary?
And let’s be real here: the current iteration of iPadOS still doesn’t quite match what you can do on macOS. Apple’s M-series of chips still seems wasted due to iPadOS limitations, so you’d still be better off with a real MacBook. The only benefit of an iPad would be being able to draw with an Apple Pencil, but again, there are five other iPad sizes to choose from across four different models.
It would only complicate an already messy iPad lineup
Since the launch of new iPads last week, the current iPad lineup is already messy. You have a brand new base iPad model that positions the camera on the side (so it’s more natural with selfies and video calls), but the newer M2 iPad Pros still have the camera on top . And the base iPad finally uses USB-C, but you can still only use the first-gen Apple Pencil, which needs an ugly brand new adapter to charge because it uses a Lightning charging port .
If Apple were to add a 16-inch iPad to the lineup, would it replace the 12.9-inch iPad Pro? Or would Apple just get rid of the much more portable 11-inch iPad Pro, which has always seemed like the ugly duckling of Pro devices? It’s complicated, and honestly, I just don’t see why we need a monstrous 16-inch iPad. I already have cramps in my hands just thinking about it, and my wallet too.
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